3 weeks ago

Birds Fly Into Delhi Offices to Escape Heat, Rescuers Warn

Birds Fly Into Delhi Offices to Escape Heat, Rescuers Warn
Birds Are Flying Into Delhi's Offices to Escape the Heat and Rescue Teams Say It's a Warning · thebetterindia.com

This summer, it got so hot in Delhi, India, that birds started flying into buildings to find shade and cool down.

When birds get too hot, they get very tired and sick, because they cannot sweat like people do.

Some birds got so weak they couldn't fly anymore and collapsed on the ground.

Helpers from a group called Wildlife SOS found many of these birds and gave them water, shade and rest.

Most of the rescued birds got better and were able to fly away again.

In April, there were almost forty percent more animal rescue calls than in the same month last year.

Experts say cities are extra hot because roads, buildings and glass trap the sun's heat.

They think hotter heatwaves are arriving earlier each year because of climate change.

They say everyone can help by putting out bowls of water and planting more trees for the birds.

Key facts

Organization
Wildlife SOS
Increase in wildlife rescues (April 2026 vs April 2025)
Nearly 40%
Increase in bird rescues (April 2026)
Nearly 49%
Increase in mammal and reptile rescues (April 2026)
Almost 24%
Increase in bird rescues (April-May 2026 vs 2025)
Nearly 21%
Urban heat island temperature difference
5-7 degrees Celsius hotter than nearby areas
Affected species
Black kites, ring-necked parakeets, flamingos, rock pigeons, peafowl, mynas, owls and eagles
Rescue locations
Office lobbies, railway stations, embassies, apartment complexes and institutional campuses

Quotes

Wasim Akram

Director of Sustainability & Special Projects at Wildlife SOS

““The heat this summer has been unlike anything we’ve experienced before,” he said. “Our rescue teams had been responding to more than a dozen distress calls every day, and most of those involve birds suffering from extreme heat stress and dehydration.””
thebetterindia.com

Kartick Satyanarayan

Co‑founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS

““Urban heat is driven by concrete, asphalt and glass that absorb and retain solar heat, forming ‘heat islands’ far hotter than surrounding areas.””
thebetterindia.com

Dr. S Ilayaraja

Deputy Director of Veterinary Services at Wildlife SOS

““Heat stress in birds causes dehydration, exhaustion and hyperthermia. Early intervention and immediate rehydration are critical to survival.””
thebetterindia.com

Sources

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